A Hewlett Packard laptop at a Best Buy store in Mountain View, Calif., in 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

(Newser)
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Bleak new data today shows that the personal-computer business is struggling even more than expected, reports the Wall Street Journal. Shipments fell more than 8% in the third quarter, and projected shipments for the full year are expected to dip for the first time in more than a decade. Part of the quarterly decline can be chalked up to people waiting until Microsoft unveils Windows 8 later this month, but whether the launch can make a real difference is an open question in an age of tablets and smartphones.

"This is definitively a crossroads" for the industry, says an analyst at IDC. "It could be a make or break moment."

Just upgraded my laptop to Windows 8 Release preview and love it. The Desktop screen and functionality is still there behind the new Metro UI. Android has a lot to worry about with Windows 8 PC's, Tablets,Phone's and next year Xbox all sharing the same OS. Microsoft are onto something. Before anybody says anything I don't work for Microsoft, Have owned Android Hardware and have nothing against Apple each to their own but MY connected Home will all be Microsoft and that's MY CHOICE.

lvan

Oct 11, 2012 9:13 AM CDT

Days of the Microsoft are over. No one wants to pay for OS anymore. Stop selling bundles.

Nexant

Oct 11, 2012 7:15 AM CDT

If anything you should be out buying your computers now before they come stock with stupid ass Windows 8 the Apple OS imitation attempt at Microsoft getting to make your decisions for you this time around.